Pectoralis major

Description[edit | edit source]

Pectoralis major muscle (highlighted in green) - anterior view

The pectoralis major is the superior most and largest muscle of the anterior chest wall. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle that lies underneath the breast tissue and forms the anterior wall of the axilla[1]. The pectoralis major is the most superficial muscle in the pectoral region. There are 2 heads of the pectoralis major, the clavicular and the sternocostal, which reference their area of origin.[2]

  • Pectoralis major tendon rupture is a rare shoulder injury, most commonly seen in weight lifters. eg bench press, when the arm under load is in extension and external rotation[1]. This injury is being seen more regularly due to the increased emphasis on healthy lifestyles
  • The pectoralis major is active in deep or forced inspiration, but not expiration. [3]
  • Clinically, the number one cause of pectoral tightness is a stiff upper back, often a consequence of less than the perfect neck, shoulder, and upper back postures. eg upper crossed syndrome.[4]

Image: Pectoralis major muscle (highlighted in green) - anterior view[5]


Origin[edit | edit source]

Pectoralis .jpeg

The pectoralis makor consists of two heads; the clavicular and sternocostal head :

  1. Clavicular head – originates from the anterior surface of the medial half of clavicle.
  2. Sternocostal head – is the larger of the two heads and originates from :
    1. The anterior surface of the manubrium and body of sternum,
    2. The anterior surface of the superior six costal cartilages.
    3. Superior part of the aponeurosis of external oblique muscle.[3]

Image 2: Well defined pectorals.

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Crests-of-humerus.jpeg

The upper and lower fibers of pectoralis major insert to the crest of greater tubercle of the humerus. Upper fibers are more anterior and caudal on the crest, while posterior fibers twist on themselves and are more posterior and cranial than the upper fibers.[3]

Image 3: The crest of the greater tubercle forms the lateral lip of the bicipital groove and is the site for insertion of pectoralis major.

Nerve supply and Arterial supply[edit | edit source]

The 2 heads of the pectoralis major have different nervous supplies.

  1. The clavicular head derives its nerve supply from the lateral pectoral nerve. The lateral pectoral nerve arises directly from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus
  2. The medial pectoral nerve innervates the sternocostal head. The medial pectoral nerve arises from the medial cord.

Modified radical mastectomy, breast reconstruction following mastectomy, and breast augmentation can pose risks to the nervous supply of the pectoralis major. Damage to the nerve can result in denervation and atrophy or fibrosis to a section of the pectoralis major..[1]

Function[edit | edit source]

Parallel bars.jpeg

The function of the pectoralis major is 3-fold and dependent on which heads of muscles are involved[1].

  • With the origin fixed, the pectoralis major adducts, medially rotates, and transversely adducts arm at glenohumeral joint.
  • It assists in flexion of the arm (via its clavicular head)
  • It assists in extension of the arm (via the sternocostal head) at the glenohumeral joint.
  • It depresses the shoulder girdle at acrimioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints.
  • With the insertion fixed, it may assist in elevating thorax, as in forced inspiration. It is considered as an accessory muscle of inspiration.
  • In crutch-walking or parallel-bar work, it will assist in supporting the weight of the body. [3][6]

Image 5: In parallel bar work the pectorals major assists.

Congenital Abnormalities[edit | edit source]

Poland Syndrom

Congenital abnormalities of the pectoral muscle can be seen in Poland syndrome. This is characterized by the unilateral absence of the pectoralis major, usually occurring alongside ipsilateral symbrachydactyly and other malformations of the chest wall.

Poland syndrome can on occasions co-exist with Moebius Syndrome (occurring in approx 15% of individuals with Moebius Syndrome[7]).

Image 6: Poland Syndrome with absence of pectoralis major muscle.[1]

Physiotherapy Relevance[edit | edit source]

Palpation[edit | edit source]

Gray410 pectoralis major.png

The two heads of pectoralis major muscle can be tested separately:

  1. The clavicular head of pectoralis major can be tested by transversely adducting the arm at the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during which It can be seen and palpated.
  2. The sternocostal head of petoralis major can be tested by adducting the arm ar the glenohumeral joint against resistance, during it can be seen and palpated.[6]

Strength[edit | edit source]

Upper (clavicular) part of pectoralis major. Position - Supine.

  • The examiner holds the opposite shoulder firmly on the table.
  • The triceps maintains the elbow on the extension.
  • Test: Starting with the elbow extended and with the shoulder in 90 degrees flexion and slight medially rotation, the humerus is horizontally adducted towards the sternal end of clavicle.
  • Pressure: Against the forearm in direction of horizontal abduction.
  • With weakness there is a decreased the ability to draw the arm in horizontal adduction across the chest, making it difficult to touch the hand to the opposite shoulder. Decreased strength of shoulder flexion and medial rotation.

Lower (sternal) part of pectoralis major. Position - Supine.

  • The examiner places one hand on the opposite iliac crest to hold the pelvis firmly on the table.
  • Test: Starting with the elbow extended and with the shoulder in flexion and slight medially rotation, adduction of the arm obliquely toward the opposite iliac crest.
  • Pressure: Against the forearm obliquely, in a lateral and cranial direction.[3]
  • With weakness there is a decreased strength of adduction obliquely toward the opposite hip. From a supine position, if the subjects arm is placed diagonally overhead, it will be difficult to lift arm from a table. The subject will also have difficulty holding any large or heavy object in both hands either at or near waist level.[3]

Length[edit | edit source]

Upper (clavicular) part of pectoralis major:

Pectoralis.jpg

Position: Supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. Test: The examiner places the subjects arm in horizontal abduction, with the elbow extended and the shoulder in lateral rotation (palm upward). Normal length: Full horizontal abduction with lateral rotation, the arm flat on the table without trunk rotation.In this position the tendon of pectoralis major at the sternum should not be found to be unduly tense, even with maximum abduction of the arm, unless the muscle is short. Shortness:The extended arm does not drop down to table level. Limitations may be recorded as slight, moderate or marked; measured in degrees using goniometer or measured in inches using a ruler to record the number of inches between the table and lateral epicondyle.

Lower (sternal) part of pectoralis major:

Position:Supine with the knees bent and the low back flat on the table. Test: The examiner places the subjects arm in position of approximately 135 degrees of abduction (in line with the lower fibers), with the elbow extended. The shoulder will be in a lateral rotation. Normal length: Arm drops to table level, with the low back remaining flat on the table. Shortness:The extended arm does not drop down to table level. Limitations may be recorded as slight, moderate or marked; measured in degrees using goniometer or measured in inches using a ruler to record the number of inches between the table and lateral epicondyle.[3]

Exercises[edit | edit source]

  1. Pushups.jpeg
    Strengthening: Many exercises focus on the pectoralis muscle. The most common include pressing exercises: The flat barbell bench press and the flat dumbbell bench press both involve utilizing the pectoralis major muscle. In both exercises, the individual lies supine on a bench with feet flat on the ground. With either a barbell or a pair of dumbbells, the individual extends their arms, lowering it slowly towards the nipple-line, and then bringing the weights up approximately over the face at arm’s-length. This exercise can also be done on an incline bench; the dumbbell fly, the individual lies supine on a bench with feet flat on the ground. Bring dumbbells above the chest with arms slightly bent and internally rotated so that elbows are facing outwards. Lower dumbbells to sides, maintaining the slight bend in the arms. To end the exercise, bring the dumbbells back up towards starting position above the chest[8]; Push ups.
  1. Stretching

Trigger Points[edit | edit source]

The trigger points in the pectoralis major muscle can produce symptoms that are nearly identical to the pain associated with having a heart attack or angina pectoris. Referred pain from these trigger points is experienced in the chest, front of the shoulder, down the inside of the arm, and along the inside of the elbow. They may also produce tenderness in the breast and nipple hypersensitivity.[9]

Manual therapy[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

This 2 minute video is a good summary of the pectoralis major.[10]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Solari F, Burns B. Anatomy, Thorax, Pectoralis Major Major.Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525991/ (accessed 7.1.2022)
  2. http://teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/muscles/pectoral-region/ (accessed 1 July 2018).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Kendall F, McCreary E, Provance P,Rodgers M,Romani W. Muscles:Testing and function with posture and pain. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005.
  4. LO PT Tight Chest Muscles: Why Your Upper Back Is the Key to Their Release Available: https://www.lorpt.com/blog/2019/7/24/chest-muscle-tightness-back-related(accessed 7.1.2022)
  5. Pectoralis major muscle (highlighted in green) - anterior view image - © Kenhub https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/major-pectoralis-muscle
  6. 6.0 6.1 Standring, S. Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edition. Elsevier (2016).
  7. Sugarman GI, Stark HH. Mobius syndrome with Poland's anomaly. J Med Genet. 1973;10(2):192-6
  8. Weebly Pectoralis MajorAvailable:https://pectoralismajormuscle.weebly.com/exercises.html (accessed 7.1.2022)
  9. http://www.triggerpointtherapist.com/blog/pectoralis-major-pain/pectoralis-major-trigger-points-cardiac-copycats/ (accessed 1 July 2018).
  10. Pectoralis major muscle video - © Kenhub https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/major-pectoralis-muscle